There are so many gems in this book, but here's a quote that I really love:
"The wonder is that the characteristic efficacy to touch and inspire deep creative centers dwells in the smallest nursery fairy tale--as the flavor of the ocean is contained in a droplet or the whole mystery of life within the egg of a flea. For the symbols of mythology are not manufactured; they cannot be ordered, invented, or permanently suppressed. They are spontaneous productions of the psyche, and each bears within it, undamaged, the germ power of its source."
Ahhh... the timelessness of the hero. His journey births a realization of the quintessence of life's ultimate purpose.
Keeping this in mind, I am re-thinking my hero's. Do they experience personal change? Are they transformed? What do they have to conquer? Do they interrupt established order and transform minds?
So... here are some questions to ask when creating a hero:
- What is the crisis?
- What role does the antagonist play to move the hero forward on his/her journey?
- Are there supernatural encounters?
- What is your hero afraid of, and does he or she conquer her fear in the end?
- What reward does the hero receive?
- How does your hero get back?
- Does he or she return with the ELIXIR?
